Mobile Fall Arrest Device Lever Stop Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile fall arrest devices for workers at height are not sufficiently user-friendly, reliable, and can be inadvertently released, posing safety risks, especially for inexperienced users, due to complex operation and difficulty in precise movements with gloves or in cold conditions.

Innovation Solution

A mobile fall arrest device with a pivotable lever and movable stop that requires only one hand to release the fixing support, featuring a finger and slot mechanism for elastic retention and a through groove for simplified operation, ensuring the user is aware of their secure status and preventing accidental disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stop limits the rotation of the lever in an intermediate position, then the device prevents accidental withdrawal, but the user can still inadvertently release the device by forcing rotation of the stop when the lever surface is inclined relative to the stop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental releaseVSAvoiduser-friendly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs a preliminary action by automatically positioning the lever in a locked intermediate position before the user completes the release motion. The inclined lever surface预先 (in advance) engages the stop to limit rotation, and the system prepares the blocking action before the user can inadvertently release it. This preliminary engagement ensures that even if the user applies force, the lever is already constrained by the stop in the correct position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined lever surface acts as an intermediary element between the user's input force and the stop. Instead of the user directly rotating the stop, the lever surface mediates the interaction by converting the user's rotational force into a blocking action against the stop. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the stop is engaged in the correct position and prevents direct manipulation that could lead to accidental release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lever surface is inclined relative to the stop, then the lever can move freely, but the stop is not effectively prevented from moving allowing inadvertent release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever movement freedomVSAvoidstop position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of lever surface orientation by using an inclined surface relative to the stop. This parameter change allows the lever to move freely during normal operation while simultaneously enabling the lever to effectively engage and block the stop in the intermediate position. The inclined geometry transforms the lever's movement into a reliable blocking action that prevents inadvertent release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the device requires precise movements to operate, then it can be securely locked, but it becomes difficult to operate with gloves or in cold conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure lockingVSAvoidoperation with gloves or in cold
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs self-service by automatically positioning the lever in the locked intermediate position through its own geometry and the engagement with the stop. The lever's inclined surface automatically blocks the stop when the lever reaches the intermediate position, without requiring the user to perform precise manual positioning. This self-positioning mechanism works reliably even when the user is wearing gloves or operating in cold conditions with reduced dexterity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4360716A1Mobile fall protection device
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 REFLET
  • EP4360716A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4360716A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4360716A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Mobile fall arrest device (1) for attachment support (SF), comprising a main body (2), a retaining groove, in which the attachment support (SF) is retained by a lever (3) pivoting between an open position and a closed position, said lever (3) having a locking cam (30) and a hole (31) for receiving a carabiner or similar, said device (1) comprising a movable stop pivoting between a so-called operating position and a so-called release position range, characterized in that said lever (3) and said stop have means for cooperation by drive when the stop is in the release position range and when the lever (3) is in a position between an intermediate position and the open position.